Community: Another Key to Spiritual Growth

Last Week we spoke about the importance of a daily practice of connecting with God personally.  The practice of establishing a time, morning, evening, or mid-day is one afforded in the Book of Common Prayer.  I even gave you a few apps to facilitate this time in other ways.  If you missed that and want to know more and get the links to those apps, click here: https://marinerschurchofdetroit.org/blog/a-year-of-spiritual-growth/

Another very important aspect of growing in our faith is community. The Scriptures are full of encouragements that walking by faith cannot be done on your own.  This is one scripture that leaves no room for trying to walk out your faith by yourself:

Heb. 10:24 25— And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

Now, this verse has been used by pastors through the ages to make church goers feel guilty about sleeping in on Sunday mornings.  That is not my intention. Instead, I want us to consider how the spiritual health is dependent on each other, both meeting on Sunday mornings and beyond.

I have found this to be true in so many areas I have wanted to grow.  For example, I can go to the gym and work out on my own, but the times that I have seen the most progress in my physical health has been in group exercise classes or training groups.  There is something about the way God created us that we need each other.  When we try to “go it alone” we loose some of what God is calling us to be as a church.

Community can take all kinds of forms.  Whether it’s a bible study or prayer group in someone’s house, Rev. Dan’s Class between our church services, a mentoring relationship, a service group, or an online community or class, these times encourage us to a consistent focus on our walk with God that we cannot do on our own.

Being in community is messy though.  Sometimes it’s easier just to try to be a “Lone Ranger Christian” and avoid the messiness and shortcomings of others, as well as making your shortcomings known.  This seems like an easy route, but it actually short circuits our spiritual growth. 

Please consider these opportunities at Mariners’ as you look ahead to growing in your relationship with Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in 2025:

  • Study the Scriptures more deeply with others as Rev. Dan Lewis leads an in-depth class on Isaiah starting this Sunday at 10am in the Trustee Room.
  • Serve Lunch at the Pope Francis Center with others from the Church.  Not only does this support a worthwhile ministry in Detroit, but it helps you connect with others at the church while serving.
  • Consider committing to a 40 day Lenten study with me in preparation for Easter, starting March 5. Details to come, but online will be an option!
  • If you want to learn more about what we believe at Mariners’ Church please register for the 3 week “Newcomer’s class” , Sundays Jan 12, 19, and 26.  We will be meeting in the ‘Music Room” just outside the Social hour room a the church.

I’m very excited about seeing all of us grow together in 2025 both individually and together.  Please look for even more opportunities as the year progresses to be together.

Blessings and peace,

Rev. Todd